South Korean startup firm LiBEST has partnered with humanoid robotics enterprise Mand.ro to develop a metaverse device leveraging the former’s flexible rechargeable batteries.
Both plan to debut the joint effort at the Consumer Electronics Show 5 January 2023. Several products from the partnership include the Exo-Sensor and Exo-Skeleton Gloves. The former offers motion commands to wireless robot arms, and the latter augments human strength.
The companies have developed the solutions, with LiBEST combining its battery technologies with Mand.ro’s electronic prosthetic arm complete with ultra-small motor and gear solutions.
The companies have also joined with overseas researchers to improve the durability of battery components used in metaverse devices. Designers can build gloves with batteries for the forearms, fingers, wrists, and other body parts as wearable bracelets and rings.
Additionally, LiBEST has developed smaller and thinner form factors with adjustable sizes. It plans to release wearable batteries that track human movement to control remote devices, regardless of location.
The news comes as industrial and commercial metaverse devices expand with a host of fresh solutions. Firms such as SenseGlove, Meta Platforms, PrecisionOS, and HaptX have led the industry with haptic gloves capable of controlling and sensing objects thousands of miles away with near-zero latency.
Meta Platform’s ReSkin technology could potentially create open-source haptic glove solutions to the global market at a fraction of the cost of enterprise products. This will also create a platform for startups to develop bespoke haptic technology products for their businesses.
South Korea’s Metaverse Device Push
South Korean firms and institutions have begun developing next-generation haptics and motor technologies. Samsung researchers recently published a report on augmented reality (AR) wearable devices which use artificial muscle actuators.
Samsung Research teamed up with Ajou University for the publication, which outlines plans to develop actuators controlled by AR-powered smart glasses and haptic gloves.
Also, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has also built haptic gloves with head and vibration detection. The 3D-printed devices use liquid metal with precision motor sensors for tracking hand and finger movements in real-time.
The devices could operate for gaming, training, remote devices, and virtual reality (VR) controllers to deepen immersion in XR experiences. Initially, users could experience numerous sensations for simulating wood, metal, fire, and others.
https://www.xrtoday.com/mixed-reality/libest-to-reveal-flexible-battery-metaverse-device/
